<p>Taiwan accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest ever incursion into the island's air defence zone.</p>

<p>Beijing marked its National Day on Friday with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan to date, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.</p>

<p>Democratic Taiwan's 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.</p>

<p>Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese warplanes are crossing into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on a near daily basis.</p>

<p>But Friday's incursion sparked a particularly sharp rebuke from Taipei.</p>

<p>"China has been bellicose and damaging regional peace while engaging in many bullying acts," Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters Saturday.</p>

<p>"It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more."</p>

<p>Taiwan's defence ministry said it scrambled its aircraft to broadcast warnings after 22 fighters, two bombers and one anti-submarine aircraft entered the island's southwest ADIZ on Friday.</p>

<p>A second batch of 13 jets then crossed into Taiwan's ADIZ later on Friday, in a rare night incursion, bringing the total to a record 38, according to the ministry.</p>

<p>The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan's territorial airspace but includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China's own air defence identification zone and even includes some of mainland China.</p>

<p><strong>Rising tensions</strong></p>

<p>Mass incursions used to be rare.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But in the last two years Beijing has begun sending large sorties into Taiwan's ADIZ to signal dissatisfaction at key moments -- and to keep Taipei's ageing fighter fleet regularly stressed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact.</p>

<p>Friday's show of force came the same week Beijing accused Britain of "evil attentions" after it sent a frigate to sail through the Taiwan Strait.</p>

<p>China claims the strait as its own waterway, along with most of the disputed South China Sea. Most other nations view them as international waters open to all.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who views the island as "already independent" and not part of a "one China".</p>

<p>Last year, Chinese military jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, and the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500.</p>

<p>The previous single-day record was on June 15 when 28 jets breached Taiwan's ADIZ.</p>

<p>Xi has described Taiwan becoming part of the mainland as "inevitable".</p>

<p>US military officials have begun to talk openly about fears that China could consider the previously unthinkable and invade.</p>

<p>Protection of Taiwan has become a rare bipartisan issue in Washington and a growing number of Western nations have begun joining the United States in "freedom of navigation" exercises to push back on China's claims to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.</p>

<p>Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Monday for the first time since 2008.</p>

<p>The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command accused Britain of acting out of "evil intentions to sabotage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".</p>

<p>Alexander Huang, associate professor at Tamkang University in Taipei said he believed the latest aerial incursion was not just about sending a message to Taiwan.</p>

<p>"There's three other carrier attack groups in the region, two American and one British," he told AFP.</p>

<p>"China is sending a political message to the US and UK on her national day: Don't mess around in my area."</p>

<p>Canadian, French and Australian warships have all made voyages through the Taiwan Strait in recent years, sparking protests from China.</p>


Taiwan accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest ever incursion into the island's air defence zone.

Taiwan accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest ever incursion into the island's air defence zone. Beijing marked its National Day on Friday with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan to date, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers. Democratic Taiwan's 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese warplanes are crossing into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on a near daily basis. But Friday's incursion sparked a particularly sharp rebuke from Taipei. "China has been bellicose and damaging regional peace while engaging in many bullying acts," Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters Saturday. "It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more." Taiwan's defence ministry said it scrambled its aircraft to broadcast warnings after 22 fighters, two bombers and one anti-submarine aircraft entered the island's southwest ADIZ on Friday. A second batch of 13 jets then crossed into Taiwan's ADIZ later on Friday, in a rare night incursion, bringing the total to a record 38, according to the ministry. The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan's territorial airspace but includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China's own air defence identification zone and even includes some of mainland China. Rising tensions Mass incursions used to be rare. But in the last two years Beijing has begun sending large sorties into Taiwan's ADIZ to signal dissatisfaction at key moments -- and to keep Taipei's ageing fighter fleet regularly stressed. Last week 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact. Friday's show of force came the same week Beijing accused Britain of "evil attentions" after it sent a frigate to sail through the Taiwan Strait. China claims the strait as its own waterway, along with most of the disputed South China Sea. Most other nations view them as international waters open to all. Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who views the island as "already independent" and not part of a "one China". Last year, Chinese military jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, and the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500. The previous single-day record was on June 15 when 28 jets breached Taiwan's ADIZ. Xi has described Taiwan becoming part of the mainland as "inevitable". US military officials have begun to talk openly about fears that China could consider the previously unthinkable and invade. Protection of Taiwan has become a rare bipartisan issue in Washington and a growing number of Western nations have begun joining the United States in "freedom of navigation" exercises to push back on China's claims to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Monday for the first time since 2008. The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command accused Britain of acting out of "evil intentions to sabotage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait". Alexander Huang, associate professor at Tamkang University in Taipei said he believed the latest aerial incursion was not just about sending a message to Taiwan. "There's three other carrier attack groups in the region, two American and one British," he told AFP. "China is sending a political message to the US and UK on her national day: Don't mess around in my area." Canadian, French and Australian warships have all made voyages through the Taiwan Strait in recent years, sparking protests from China.

Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion

<p>ONE Championship atomweight contender Ritu Phogat has warned her next opponent, China`s Meng Bo ahead of the quarterfinal clash in ONE: Empower. The 27-year-old Indian wrestling icon is back in the highly anticipated ONE Women`s Atomweight World Grand Prix following a comprehensive victory over Lin Heqin last July.</p>

<p>She will face Meng Bo in the quarterfinal round of the tournament which commences from Friday night at ONE: Empower, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.</p>

<p>"I`m extremely excited to be back in the Grand Prix. Featuring on the all-women ONE: EMPOWER card feels surreal and fulfilling but we are only halfway through the journey of making ourselves invincible in the MMA space," Phogat said while interacting with the press on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Meng Bo is ranked 2 at atomweight in ONE Championship. The confident Chinese star is on a six-fight winning streak, which includes three victories in the Circle. Phogat understands the legitimate threat that stands before her, but is also quick to remind her opponent that she too is a formidable foe.</p>

<p>"My last match bears witness to the grit, determination and undaunting spirit of women in India. We don`t talk, just act. Don`t say, just show. Don`t just promise but prove! I have all that it takes to make it one of the most formidable face-offs for Meng Bo. She may have more experience but I have persistence, passion, purpose and the love and prayers of my fans, family and friends on my side. All I want to say is that don`t underestimate me or mistake me to be one of your sheep. You would have started first but I am going to finish fierce, strong and victorious. I will ensure this is one of the most unforgettable matches of our careers," Phogat said.</p>

<p>If Phogat wins, she will move on to the semifinal round of the Grand Prix. From there, she needs two more victories to become the tournament champion. ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong said that the winner of the ONE Women`s Atomweight World Grand Prix could go on to face reigning ONE Women`s Atomweight World Champion "Unstoppable" Angela Lee for the world title as early as November.</p>

<p>The event will be live on&nbsp;Hotstar or Star Sports Select 1 beginning with the lead card at 5 p.m. India Standard Time (IST) on Friday. It will also be available on the ONE Championship app and YouTube page too.&nbsp;</p>


ONE Championship atomweight contender Ritu Phogat has warned her next opponent, China`s Meng Bo ahead of the quarterfinal clash in ONE: Empower. The 27-year-old Indian wrestling icon is back in the highly anticipated ONE Women`s Atomweight World Grand Prix following a comprehensive victory over Lin Heqin last July.

ONE Championship atomweight contender Ritu Phogat has warned her next opponent, China`s Meng Bo ahead of the quarterfinal clash in ONE: Empower. The 27-year-old Indian wrestling icon is back in the highly anticipated ONE Women`s Atomweight World Grand Prix following a comprehensive victory over Lin Heqin last July. She will face Meng Bo in the quarterfinal round of the tournament which commences from Friday night at ONE: Empower, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. "I`m extremely excited to be back in the Grand Prix. Featuring on the all-women ONE: EMPOWER card feels surreal and fulfilling but we are only halfway through the journey of making ourselves invincible in the MMA space," Phogat said while interacting with the press on Wednesday. Meng Bo is ranked 2 at atomweight in ONE Championship. The confident Chinese star is on a six-fight winning streak, which includes three victories in the Circle. Phogat understands the legitimate threat that stands before her, but is also quick to remind her opponent that she too is a formidable foe. "My last match bears witness to the grit, determination and undaunting spirit of women in India. We don`t talk, just act. Don`t say, just show. Don`t just promise but prove! I have all that it takes to make it one of the most formidable face-offs for Meng Bo. She may have more experience but I have persistence, passion, purpose and the love and prayers of my fans, family and friends on my side. All I want to say is that don`t underestimate me or mistake me to be one of your sheep. You would have started first but I am going to finish fierce, strong and victorious. I will ensure this is one of the most unforgettable matches of our careers," Phogat said. If Phogat wins, she will move on to the semifinal round of the Grand Prix. From there, she needs two more victories to become the tournament champion. ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong said that the winner of the ONE Women`s Atomweight World Grand Prix could go on to face reigning ONE Women`s Atomweight World Champion "Unstoppable" Angela Lee for the world title as early as November. The event will be live on Hotstar or Star Sports Select 1 beginning with the lead card at 5 p.m. India Standard Time (IST) on Friday. It will also be available on the ONE Championship app and YouTube page too.

Ritu Phogat warns Meng Bo not to underestimate her

<p>Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone will star together in a film for the first time in ‘Fighter’ and makers have announced a new release date.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Viacom18 Studios announced that the film will hit theatres on India’s Republic Day, January 26, 2023. Earlier, the film was slated for 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film will have Hrithik Roshan essaying the role of an ace Indian Air Force pilot. ‘Fighter’ will be directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Ajit Andhare, Mamta Anand, Ramon Chibb and Anku Pande.</p>

<p>Making the announcement of the film, the actors had earlier shared pics and wrote, “This gang is ready for take off. #Fighter”&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone will star together in a film for the first time in ‘Fighter’ and makers have announced a new release date. Viacom18 Studios announced that the film will hit theatres on India’s Republic Day, January 26, 2023.

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone will star together in a film for the first time in ‘Fighter’ and makers have announced a new release date. Viacom18 Studios announced that the film will hit theatres on India’s Republic Day, January 26, 2023. Earlier, the film was slated for 2022. The film will have Hrithik Roshan essaying the role of an ace Indian Air Force pilot. ‘Fighter’ will be directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Ajit Andhare, Mamta Anand, Ramon Chibb and Anku Pande. Making the announcement of the film, the actors had earlier shared pics and wrote, “This gang is ready for take off. #Fighter”

Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone starrer ‘Fighter’ to release on Republic Day 2023

<p>It was quite an announcement when Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s film was revealed on the internet on the actor’s birthday on January 10.</p>

<p>Titled<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-deepika-padukone-to-star-together-for-the-first-time-in-siddharth-anands-fighter-355785"> ‘Fighter’,</a> the film is a high-octane action-drama film with a story of nationalism and romance seeped into it according to synopsis revealed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Getting Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone together in a film for the first time, ‘Fighter’ will be quite a watch but that’s not just it! The film will be reportedly India’s most expensive Hindi film as there is a budget allocation of Rs 250 crore.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fighter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fighter</a>! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepikapadukone</a>. All buckled up for this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SiddharthAnand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SiddharthAnand</a> joyride. <a href="https://t.co/gaqv53xbO9">pic.twitter.com/gaqv53xbO9</a></p>
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/1348183642602754050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The film will have Hrithik Roshan and Siddharth Anand collaborate after ‘Bang Bang’ and ‘War’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>‘Fighter’ is set for September 30, 2022 release.</p>


It was quite an announcement when Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s film was revealed on the internet on the actor’s birthday on January 10. Titled ‘Fighter’, the film is a high-octane action-drama film with a story of nationalism and romance seeped into it according to synopsis revealed.

It was quite an announcement when Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s film was revealed on the internet on the actor’s birthday on January 10. Titled ‘Fighter’, the film is a high-octane action-drama film with a story of nationalism and romance seeped into it according to synopsis revealed. Getting Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone together in a film for the first time, ‘Fighter’ will be quite a watch but that’s not just it! The film will be reportedly India’s most expensive Hindi film as there is a budget allocation of Rs 250 crore. Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as #Fighter! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional @deepikapadukone. All buckled up for this #SiddharthAnand joyride. pic.twitter.com/gaqv53xbO9 — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) January 10, 2021 × The film will have Hrithik Roshan and Siddharth Anand collaborate after ‘Bang Bang’ and ‘War’. ‘Fighter’ is set for September 30, 2022 release.

Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone's 'Fighter' to be Bollywood's most expensive film with this budget?

<p>After days of speculation,&nbsp;Hrithik Roshan finally gave a surprise to his fans. On his birthday, Roshan announced his next film with Deepika Padukone, 'Fighter'. This will be the first time when Hrithik and Deepika will be sharing screen space.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Hrithik took his Twitter account and shared the teaser with a caption, "Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as #Fighter! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional @deepikapadukone. All buckled up for this Sid Anand joyride. #SiddharthAnand." In the teaser, &nbsp;Hrithik can be heard talking about the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fighter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fighter</a>! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepikapadukone</a>. All buckled up for this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SiddharthAnand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SiddharthAnand</a> joyride. <a href="https://t.co/gaqv53xbO9">pic.twitter.com/gaqv53xbO9</a></p>
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/1348183642602754050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Deepika wrote, "Dreams really do come true... #Fighter #SiddharthAnand @hrithikroshan #Marflix."&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<br />
Earlier, Deepika hinted us about this double celebration on her birthday by replying to Roshan's Bday wish, "Thank You so much HR! Now for another big celebration coming up in a couple of days...!" along with emojis of a champagne bottle with popping cork and clinking glasses.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sussanne-khan-special-wish-on-hrithik-roshans-birthday-warmest-part-of-life-355747" hreflang="en">Sussanne Khan special wish on Hrithik Roshan’s birthday: 'Warmest part of life'</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank You so much HR!❤️<br />
<br />
Now for another big celebration coming up in a couple of days...!🍰🍾🥂<a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iHrithik</a> <a href="https://t.co/oD2belXkVi">https://t.co/oD2belXkVi</a></p>
— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/1347088207695941634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Roshan further wrote in his post, “It is an honour for me as an actor to introduce and be a part of Mamta and Sid Anand’s first production Fighter for Marflix! This one is special as it deepens my association with a director and a friend whose journey I have witnessed from being an AD on my sets to directing me in Bang Bang and War. And now as he turns producer for Fighter, I can’t seem to contain my excitement. This one is pure adrenaline for the heart and mind. So here goes! Boom! Thank you, Sid, for believing in me and making me your co-passenger yet again. Here’s to your journey towards the sky!”&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ2666GHiyt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by MARFLIX (@marflix_pictures)</a></p>
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<p>The spy-thriller will be helmed by Siddharth Anand and is set to go on floors this year and will be a 2022 release on the big screen.&nbsp;</p>


After days of speculation, Hrithik Roshan finally gave a surprise to his fans. On his birthday, Roshan announced his next film with Deepika Padukone, 'Fighter'. This will be the first time when Hrithik and Deepika will be sharing screen space.

After days of speculation, Hrithik Roshan finally gave a surprise to his fans. On his birthday, Roshan announced his next film with Deepika Padukone, 'Fighter'. This will be the first time when Hrithik and Deepika will be sharing screen space. Hrithik took his Twitter account and shared the teaser with a caption, "Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as #Fighter! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional @deepikapadukone. All buckled up for this Sid Anand joyride. #SiddharthAnand." In the teaser, Hrithik can be heard talking about the nation. Presenting a glimpse of the MARFLIX vision as #Fighter! Looking forward to my first flight alongside the exceptional @deepikapadukone. All buckled up for this #SiddharthAnand joyride. pic.twitter.com/gaqv53xbO9 — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) January 10, 2021 × While Deepika wrote, "Dreams really do come true... #Fighter #SiddharthAnand @hrithikroshan #Marflix." Earlier, Deepika hinted us about this double celebration on her birthday by replying to Roshan's Bday wish, "Thank You so much HR! Now for another big celebration coming up in a couple of days...!" along with emojis of a champagne bottle with popping cork and clinking glasses. Sussanne Khan special wish on Hrithik Roshan’s birthday: 'Warmest part of life' Thank You so much HR!❤️ Now for another big celebration coming up in a couple of days...!🍰🍾🥂@iHrithik https://t.co/oD2belXkVi — Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 7, 2021 × Roshan further wrote in his post, “It is an honour for me as an actor to introduce and be a part of Mamta and Sid Anand’s first production Fighter for Marflix! This one is special as it deepens my association with a director and a friend whose journey I have witnessed from being an AD on my sets to directing me in Bang Bang and War. And now as he turns producer for Fighter, I can’t seem to contain my excitement. This one is pure adrenaline for the heart and mind. So here goes! Boom! Thank you, Sid, for believing in me and making me your co-passenger yet again. Here’s to your journey towards the sky!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by MARFLIX (@marflix_pictures) × The spy-thriller will be helmed by Siddharth Anand and is set to go on floors this year and will be a 2022 release on the big screen.

Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone to star together for the first time in Siddharth Anand’s 'Fighter'

<p>Canada said on Sunday that Britain's decision to strip Jack Letts - dubbed "Jihadi Jack" by the media - of his British citizenship was an attempt to shift responsibility for what to do with him onto Canada, where he also has citizenship.</p>

<p>A statement from Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale's office confirmed a British media report from Saturday, which said that Letts' UK passport had been torn up.</p>

<p>Letts travelled from Britain to Syria to fight with Islamic State in 2014, according to media reports, and he has been held in a Kurdish prison for two years. In an ITV interview from February, Letts said he wanted to return to Britain because he considered it his home.</p>

<p>"Terrorism knows no borders, so countries need to work together to keep each other safe," the Canadian statement said. "Canada is disappointed that the United Kingdom has taken this unilateral action to off-load their responsibilities."</p>

<p>Britain's Foreign Office could not immediately be reached for comment.</p>

<p>Canada has been embroiled in nagging diplomatic spats over the past year, including with Saudi Arabia and China, but this latest dispute is between two traditional allies and comes just two months ahead of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's bid for re-election.</p>

<p>Trudeau is due to meet the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a Group of Seven meeting in France that starts on August 24.</p>

<p>Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland in Toronto earlier this month. The two ministers discussed Letts during the visit, the Canadian statement said.</p>

<p>"While we are disappointed in their decision, we do not conduct tit-for-tat diplomacy. Canada and the UK continue to work closely together on several issues, including the situation in Hong Kong," the statement added.</p>

<p>Canada also said it was "aware of some Canadian citizens currently detained in Syria," adding that "there is no legal obligation to facilitate their return." Canada would not put its consular officials at "undue" risk in "this dangerous part of the world," it said.</p>


Canada said on Sunday that Britain's decision to strip Jack Letts - dubbed "Jihadi Jack" by the media - of his British citizenship was an attempt to shift responsibility for what to do with him onto Canada, where he also has citizenship.

Canada said on Sunday that Britain's decision to strip Jack Letts - dubbed "Jihadi Jack" by the media - of his British citizenship was an attempt to shift responsibility for what to do with him onto Canada, where he also has citizenship. A statement from Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale's office confirmed a British media report from Saturday, which said that Letts' UK passport had been torn up. Letts travelled from Britain to Syria to fight with Islamic State in 2014, according to media reports, and he has been held in a Kurdish prison for two years. In an ITV interview from February, Letts said he wanted to return to Britain because he considered it his home. "Terrorism knows no borders, so countries need to work together to keep each other safe," the Canadian statement said. "Canada is disappointed that the United Kingdom has taken this unilateral action to off-load their responsibilities." Britain's Foreign Office could not immediately be reached for comment. Canada has been embroiled in nagging diplomatic spats over the past year, including with Saudi Arabia and China, but this latest dispute is between two traditional allies and comes just two months ahead of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's bid for re-election. Trudeau is due to meet the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a Group of Seven meeting in France that starts on August 24. Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland in Toronto earlier this month. The two ministers discussed Letts during the visit, the Canadian statement said. "While we are disappointed in their decision, we do not conduct tit-for-tat diplomacy. Canada and the UK continue to work closely together on several issues, including the situation in Hong Kong," the statement added. Canada also said it was "aware of some Canadian citizens currently detained in Syria," adding that "there is no legal obligation to facilitate their return." Canada would not put its consular officials at "undue" risk in "this dangerous part of the world," it said.

Jihadi Jack: Canada slams UK decision to 'off-load' Islamist fighter

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=Conor+McGregor">Conor McGregor</a> was arrested in Miami Beach on Monday after a fan said the Irish mixed martial arts fighter smashed his phone and then walked off with the shattered remains, police records show.</p>

<p>McGregor, 30, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on suspicion of robbery and criminal mischief, according to an arrest affidavit filed in connection with the incident, which took place shortly after 5 am&nbsp;(0900 GMT) on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The victim and the defendant were exiting the Fountainbleau Hotel and the victim attempted to take a picture of the defendant with his cell phone," the arrest report said, without identifying the second man's name.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The defendant slapped the victim's phone out of his hand, causing it to fall to the floor. The defendant then stomped on the victim's phone several times, damaging it," the report said, adding that the device was valued at $1,000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>McGregor was taken into custody later on Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had retained a local attorney to represent him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>McGregor was charged in April 2018 with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief after police said he attacked a charter bus in New York carrying UFC fighters, throwing a moving dolly through a window and injuring other fighters.</p>

<p>He later pleaded guilty to a reduced disorderly conduct charge.</p>


Conor McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach on Monday after a fan said the Irish mixed martial arts fighter smashed his phone and then walked off with the shattered remains, police records show.

Conor McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach on Monday after a fan said the Irish mixed martial arts fighter smashed his phone and then walked off with the shattered remains, police records show. McGregor, 30, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on suspicion of robbery and criminal mischief, according to an arrest affidavit filed in connection with the incident, which took place shortly after 5 am (0900 GMT) on Monday. "The victim and the defendant were exiting the Fountainbleau Hotel and the victim attempted to take a picture of the defendant with his cell phone," the arrest report said, without identifying the second man's name. "The defendant slapped the victim's phone out of his hand, causing it to fall to the floor. The defendant then stomped on the victim's phone several times, damaging it," the report said, adding that the device was valued at $1,000. McGregor was taken into custody later on Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had retained a local attorney to represent him. McGregor was charged in April 2018 with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief after police said he attacked a charter bus in New York carrying UFC fighters, throwing a moving dolly through a window and injuring other fighters. He later pleaded guilty to a reduced disorderly conduct charge.

MMA fighter Conor McGregor arrested in Florida for breaking fan's phone

<p>Brianna Hildebrand, who played the fan-favorite Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the 'Deadpool' franchise, could next be seen alongside John Cena in 'Playing With Fire'.</p>

<p>The Paramount Players project is a family comedy which revolves around a group of rugged wildfire fighters who meet their match when they rescue a trio of rambunctious children.</p>

<p>According to The Hollywood Reporter, if the deal works out, Hildebrand will be playing the eldest of the orphaned siblings, Brynn. While the script has been penned by Matt Lieberman (The Christmas Chronicles), 'Playing With Fire' will be directed by Andy Fickman.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Brianna Hildebrand, who played the fan-favorite Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the 'Deadpool' franchise, could next be seen alongside John Cena in 'Playing With Fire'.

Brianna Hildebrand, who played the fan-favorite Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the 'Deadpool' franchise, could next be seen alongside John Cena in 'Playing With Fire'. The Paramount Players project is a family comedy which revolves around a group of rugged wildfire fighters who meet their match when they rescue a trio of rambunctious children. According to The Hollywood Reporter, if the deal works out, Hildebrand will be playing the eldest of the orphaned siblings, Brynn. While the script has been penned by Matt Lieberman (The Christmas Chronicles), 'Playing With Fire' will be directed by Andy Fickman.

'Deadpool' star Brianna Hildebrand in talks to join 'Playing With Fire'

<p>A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter beat up a thief who tried to rob her using a fake gun in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. &nbsp;</p>

<p>UFC fighter Polyana Viana turned the tables on the thief with kicks and punches and held him in a "rear-naked choke" while waiting for the police to arrive. The would-be thief's gun was made out of cardboard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Polyana, who goes by the nickname "The Iron Lady", was waiting for a cab when the thief warned her that he was armed, and&nbsp;ordered her to hand over her mobile phone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Viana told website MMA Junkie that the thief used a fake gun to try and steal her mobile phone while she waited outside her apartment block on Saturday night.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Robber Union in Rio de Janeiro is asking that the UFC please give a fight to Polyana soon! They are worried for their safety while she is lose out there and with nothing to do! <a href="https://twitter.com/Mickmaynard2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mickmaynard2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/danawhite?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danawhite</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PolyanaViana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PolyanaViana</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NandaPrates_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NandaPrates_</a> <a href="https://t.co/Iwbp26t38H">pic.twitter.com/Iwbp26t38H</a></p>
— Alex Davis (@Alexdavismma) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alexdavismma/status/1082291694119333891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On the left is <a href="https://twitter.com/Polyana_VianaDF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Polyana_VianaDF</a>, one of our <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UFC</a> fighters and on the right is the guy who tried to rob her <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/badfuckingidea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#badfuckingidea</a> <a href="https://t.co/oHBVpS2TQt">pic.twitter.com/oHBVpS2TQt</a></p>
— Dana White (@danawhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1082110419785969666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"When he saw I saw him, he sat next to me," Viana said.</p>

<p>"He asked me the time, I said it, and I saw he wasn't going to leave. So I already moved to put my cell phone in my waist.</p>

<p>"And then he said, 'Give me the phone. Don't try to react, because I'm armed.' Then he put his hand over [a gun], but I realised it was too soft.</p>

<p>"He was really close to me. So I thought 'if it's a gun, he won't have time to draw it.' So I stood up. I threw two punches and a kick. He fell, then I caught him in a rear-naked choke."</p>

<p>Viana posted images of the would-be robber, looking dejected and bruised, with blood on his sleeveless shirt and on a hand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said that, after the suspect's processing by police and treatment for his injuries, she went home and made dinner. Her hands hurt a bit the next day, but nothing serious and she was otherwise unharmed. &nbsp;</p>


A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter beat up a thief who tried to rob her using a fake gun in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UFC fighter Polyana Viana turned the tables on the thief with kicks and punches and held him in a "rear-naked choke" while waiting for the police to arrive.

A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter beat up a thief who tried to rob her using a fake gun in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UFC fighter Polyana Viana turned the tables on the thief with kicks and punches and held him in a "rear-naked choke" while waiting for the police to arrive. The would-be thief's gun was made out of cardboard. Polyana, who goes by the nickname "The Iron Lady", was waiting for a cab when the thief warned her that he was armed, and ordered her to hand over her mobile phone. Viana told website MMA Junkie that the thief used a fake gun to try and steal her mobile phone while she waited outside her apartment block on Saturday night. The Robber Union in Rio de Janeiro is asking that the UFC please give a fight to Polyana soon! They are worried for their safety while she is lose out there and with nothing to do! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite @PolyanaViana @NandaPrates_ pic.twitter.com/Iwbp26t38H — Alex Davis (@Alexdavismma) January 7, 2019 × On the left is @Polyana_VianaDF, one of our @UFC fighters and on the right is the guy who tried to rob her #badfuckingidea pic.twitter.com/oHBVpS2TQt — Dana White (@danawhite) January 7, 2019 × "When he saw I saw him, he sat next to me," Viana said. "He asked me the time, I said it, and I saw he wasn't going to leave. So I already moved to put my cell phone in my waist. "And then he said, 'Give me the phone. Don't try to react, because I'm armed.' Then he put his hand over [a gun], but I realised it was too soft. "He was really close to me. So I thought 'if it's a gun, he won't have time to draw it.' So I stood up. I threw two punches and a kick. He fell, then I caught him in a rear-naked choke." Viana posted images of the would-be robber, looking dejected and bruised, with blood on his sleeveless shirt and on a hand. She said that, after the suspect's processing by police and treatment for his injuries, she went home and made dinner. Her hands hurt a bit the next day, but nothing serious and she was otherwise unharmed.

Brazilian MMA fighter Polyana Viana beats up thief who tried to rob her with fake gun

<p>A ruckus occurred in Ahmedabad after Jignesh Mevani's supporters obstructed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from putting a garland over BR Ambedkar's statue on Saturday.</p>

<p>The police detained five Dalit activists who attempted to prevent BJP MP Kirit Solanki from putting a garland over BR Ambedkar's statue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The activists raised slogans against the BJP, according to reports.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid their tribute to BR Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary at Parliament in New Delhi on Saturday.</p>

<p>Security has been beefed up in Uttar Pradesh in view of Ambedkar Jayanti today to prevent any possible attempt at inciting violence, with political parties drawing up separate plans for the occasion.</p>


The police detained five Dalit activists who attempted to prevent BJP MP Kirit Solanki from putting a garland over BR Ambedkar's statue.

A ruckus occurred in Ahmedabad after Jignesh Mevani's supporters obstructed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from putting a garland over BR Ambedkar's statue on Saturday. The police detained five Dalit activists who attempted to prevent BJP MP Kirit Solanki from putting a garland over BR Ambedkar's statue. The activists raised slogans against the BJP, according to reports. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid their tribute to BR Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary at Parliament in New Delhi on Saturday. Security has been beefed up in Uttar Pradesh in view of Ambedkar Jayanti today to prevent any possible attempt at inciting violence, with political parties drawing up separate plans for the occasion.

Jignesh Mevani's supporters obstruct BJP MPs from garlanding BR Ambedkar's statue

<p>Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was born on April 14, 1891, in town and military cantonment of Mhow in the central provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh).</p>

<p>Today, the nation is celebrating this social reformer’s 127th birth anniversary with great zeal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With his long and pragmatic vision, Ambedkar drafted the Constitution that makes India a great country and provides citizens with constitutional guarantees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Born in a poor low Mahar (Dalit) caste, Ambedkar himself was a victim of the social evils since childhood days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was so oppressed that throughout his life, he campaigned to eliminate social discrimination against untouchables.</p>

<p>Ambedkar, who went to a government school, witnessed discrimination from a very young age. When he and his other untouchable classmates were thirsty, the people from the higher caste used to pour the water from a height so that they would not come in contact with the vessel. The school peon would do this for Ambedkar and when the peon was not around, Ambedkar had to go without water.</p>

<p>Due to his deep interest in learning, Bhim went on to become the first Dalit to be enrolled into the prestigious Elphinstone High School in Bombay.</p>

<p>He was the also the only one among his siblings to have passed his examinations and complete graduation.</p>

<p>Impressed by his performance, the Maharaja of Baroda funded his doctorate degree in Economics and Ambedkar became the first Indian to get an Economics doctorate from abroad.</p>

<p>He was later appointed as the first Minister of Law and Justice in 1947, but he resigned when his women rights bill was opposed by the Parliament.</p>

<p>The Article 370 of the Indian Constitution has accorded special status to Jammu & Kashmir, but Ambedkar was against Article 370.</p>

<p>Ambedkar was a diabetes patient and died in his sleep December 6, 1956, three days after he completed his manuscript— The Buddha and his Dhamma.</p>

<p>Dr Ambedkar was a reformer whose legacy and relevance continues to grow. His message of social equality continues to reverberate and resonate with passing time.</p>


Today, the nation is celebrating this social reformer’s 127th birth anniversary with great zeal.

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was born on April 14, 1891, in town and military cantonment of Mhow in the central provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh). Today, the nation is celebrating this social reformer’s 127th birth anniversary with great zeal. With his long and pragmatic vision, Ambedkar drafted the Constitution that makes India a great country and provides citizens with constitutional guarantees. Born in a poor low Mahar (Dalit) caste, Ambedkar himself was a victim of the social evils since childhood days. He was so oppressed that throughout his life, he campaigned to eliminate social discrimination against untouchables. Ambedkar, who went to a government school, witnessed discrimination from a very young age. When he and his other untouchable classmates were thirsty, the people from the higher caste used to pour the water from a height so that they would not come in contact with the vessel. The school peon would do this for Ambedkar and when the peon was not around, Ambedkar had to go without water. Due to his deep interest in learning, Bhim went on to become the first Dalit to be enrolled into the prestigious Elphinstone High School in Bombay. He was the also the only one among his siblings to have passed his examinations and complete graduation. Impressed by his performance, the Maharaja of Baroda funded his doctorate degree in Economics and Ambedkar became the first Indian to get an Economics doctorate from abroad. He was later appointed as the first Minister of Law and Justice in 1947, but he resigned when his women rights bill was opposed by the Parliament. The Article 370 of the Indian Constitution has accorded special status to Jammu & Kashmir, but Ambedkar was against Article 370. Ambedkar was a diabetes patient and died in his sleep December 6, 1956, three days after he completed his manuscript— The Buddha and his Dhamma. Dr Ambedkar was a reformer whose legacy and relevance continues to grow. His message of social equality continues to reverberate and resonate with passing time.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar: A true fighter against caste discrimination in India

<p>Bianca &ldquo;Bam Bam&rdquo; Elmir is dressed in a sky blue shirt, squished on a Skype screen on an early morning in Melbourne. Although she is half a world away, her energy is evident even through a screen. Next to her is Jemma van Loenen, the producer of Bam Bam, the documentary.</p>

<p>We establish her history immediately: &ldquo;I come from a Lebanese background, my grandparents migrated in the &lsquo;50s to Australia. I was raised in Canberra, where I&rsquo;m based, by a single parent, my mom, who divorced my dad when I was very young. I was 2.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Shifting slightly, she adds, &ldquo;I met my dad at 27 properly; we&rsquo;ve had a very loose relationship since then. My mom, on the other hand, has raised me on her own.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It is not the first time in our conversation that I am surprised by Bianca&rsquo;s candor. She is direct, open, occasionally pushing back her curly hair and shifting as she speaks. The Australian boxer is evident even when she is seated not just in her body, but in the way she moves occasionally, unable to sit totally still.</p>

<p><strong>Spiritual moments in the ring</strong></p>

<p>The tagline to Bam Bam the movie is &ldquo;Boxer. Woman. Muslim.&rdquo; I ask Bianca about the Muslim part, first, curious as to how she defines herself in this regard.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My mother, she didn&rsquo;t really have a strong connection to the faith growing up &hellip; she didn&rsquo;t wear the scarf and she didn&rsquo;t pray,&rdquo; Bianca replies. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s becoming more devoted as she&rsquo;s grown older. At 13 or 14, my attachment to Islam was the strongest in my life. It cemented my identity.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She pauses and then continues: &ldquo;Since then, I&rsquo;ve changed, and the religion has changed with me. I still consider myself a strong believer. I feel like my faith is at the center of who I am and everything I do. Boxing, for me, is something very close to my heart because it&rsquo;s raw.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bianca&rsquo;s unexpected shift toward discussing boxing in the midst of discussing Islam throws me slightly, but she finishes her thought with an eloquence that I&rsquo;m beginning to see is an indisputable part of her.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s very close to my emotions: being a fighter and sticking up for what you believe in and believing in yourself and have the most acute focus and focus to detail. I feel like my faith enhances those elements in me. Islam is about sticking up for what you believe in and fighting for a cause and believing so deeply in something and committing to it. I think [boxing] runs parallel to that. It&rsquo;s a very spiritual moment in the ring.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When she says this, I immediately think of the traditions of Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing. In a traditional Thai fight, a number of ceremonial rituals, including the Wai Khru Ram Muay dance and the wearing of mongkol (or mongkon) headdress, form an enormously important part of every fight.</p>

<p>Bianca, who has a background in mixed martial arts, confirms my thought when she continues: &ldquo;When I come in and out of the ring&mdash;we get these traditions from the Thais, the blessings coming in and out&mdash;I thank God. I don&rsquo;t necessarily thank the spirits, but I thank God, always, for my opportunity in the ring, whether it&rsquo;s training or fighting. In the moments of despair when I&rsquo;m at my wit&rsquo;s end and I&rsquo;ve got someone trying to take my head off in front of me, I have a second of self-doubt and that&rsquo;s when I turn and restate to myself that myself that I believe in God and myself and this opportunity and this moment.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My religion gives me a lot of inspiration,&rdquo; she finishes, simply.</p>

<p>I wonder if Bianca&rsquo;s experience of religion is reflective of a very private negotiation of her Muslim identity, without the input of a larger Muslim community.</p>

<p>&ldquo;In a way, yes, I look at other young people &hellip; it&rsquo;s a confusing time in that you&rsquo;re trying to figure out your identity, how you fit into the particular community you&rsquo;re a part of, and if you&rsquo;re a part of a diaspora that doesn&rsquo;t have a lot of momentum, you feel like you have to shout a bit louder. With the religion, I felt on the periphery&mdash;living in Canberra, it&rsquo;s a very middle-class, white suburban city, I always felt a little bit on the outside&mdash;anyway, even though it&rsquo;s a very inclusive space, I felt like I had to stand up from when I was very young.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The idea of growing up surrounded by a different, dominant narrative is so similar to my own childhood. I tell Bianca that I went through the same process of identity negotiation and she nods, continuing: &ldquo;Having the religion as a label, being Muslim at the time, gave me comfort and gave me that pathway, especially being quite a young person, I was searching for that. Kind of similar to you, I didn&rsquo;t need to shout as loud about needing to verify who I was. I was more comfortable having nuances about being a girl, a Muslim, someone from an ethnic background.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She pauses, laughing: &ldquo;So, having all those different narratives, I&rsquo;m still nostalgic about those days because things were so clear and I was confident about how things were right or wrong. Understanding what is evil and what is not evil. I feel like I&rsquo;ve got a more progressive understanding of the religion, now. Community work, care for the people around me, care for the people that were ill&mdash;[Islam] instilled that in me and I still hold on to that, treat people with respect, if someone is poor, look after them. You have to help people in need. Those are the things that have stuck with me.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Identity and femininity</strong></p>

<p>When she pauses, she and Jemma both look at me expectantly and I sheepishly admit that, from the trailers for Bam Bam, Bianca comes off as far more aggressive and defiant than she does in person, where she is immensely articulate and thoughtful.</p>

<p>Bianca laughs: &ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;ve become quite masculine. My particular gym is only boys, so I&rsquo;ve had to take on a persona which is a little, you know, thick-skinned. Can take anything, can take all kinds of comments, can take any guy they put in front of me, so I think I&rsquo;ve developed that quite well over time, out of survival. My coach has a lot of confidence in me but then will also put me in front of anything.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She shifts a little, still grinning: &ldquo;I think at times, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m getting my head pummeled in and I don&rsquo;t know what&rsquo;s going on.&rsquo; Through self-preservation, I&rsquo;ve had to take on this persona of toughness and true grit, bite down on my mouth guard and get through everything.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Jemma, looking a little startled, adds: &ldquo;That&rsquo;s interesting, I didn&rsquo;t realise that was coming across. I wanted to create some kind of in that, there&rsquo;s a goal she&rsquo;s trying to achieve and there have been obstacles to overcome, like the ban &hellip; but also to balance that with what gets Bianca through.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She adds: &ldquo;I did have a little snippet that I wanted to put in there, there&rsquo;s a snippet of you rubbing your face and you say you like having your face patted, to balance this full-on an aggressive thing where people are punching you in the face. You have that need to be nurtured.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bianca smiles playfully and says, to me this time, &ldquo;I just want to be hugged.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Being in a highly sexualised environment,&rdquo; she continues, pausing briefly to become more serious again, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to come across as too cute and too much of a princess. Maybe I&rsquo;ve gone too far the other way. I&rsquo;ve found at times I need to re-center and ground myself; I find myself losing a bit of my identity and femininity, which I really embrace and love about myself. The paradox is really difficult.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Many female fighters and athletes, including Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey, contend that being &ldquo;feminine&rdquo; and an &ldquo;athlete&rdquo; are not mutually exclusive. While Bianca seems to agree with this, she also contends that the traits of aggression and dominance visible in boxing are male traits that she must take on in order to survive. In a way, she must &ldquo;fight like a man&rdquo; while still finding ways to express her femininity.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Feminine, to me, is maybe having a more nurturing, a more humble side, a caring side. Feminine is being more considerate&mdash;I see it as all of those things. I don&rsquo;t express those things in the ring; otherwise, I&rsquo;d get my head punched in. So then I express my femininity through dancing&mdash;I&rsquo;m always dancing around in the gym. It&rsquo;s quite sexualised dancing, sometimes, but it&rsquo;s the one space I know no one can take from me, where I can be chill and be a girl, I can feel my body and I can dance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She pauses and looks at Jemma, thinking, and Jemma adds: &ldquo;It hasn&rsquo;t necessarily come through yet in the trailers, but it&rsquo;s definitely something we&rsquo;ve talked about and we&rsquo;re interested in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s almost like this alter ego has become me,&rdquo; Bianca says, smiling again. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got this persona and I&rsquo;m so mindful. I don&rsquo;t even let men go through that. It&rsquo;s fascinating looking at the person I was a few years ago to what I am now. I would walk into an office as a political advisor with beautiful skirts and high heels and jewellery and I was the face of the office.&rdquo;</p>

<p>I can&rsquo;t help but think that Bianca&rsquo;s blunt admission that yes, she does have to take on what she defines as masculine characteristics is almost more honest than most negotiations about gender.</p>

<p>&ldquo;All those things are amplified in the sporting world. I have to hold my own, and if I&rsquo;m emotionally fragile or I&rsquo;ve had a bad day and I want to cry, yell or scream, I have to hold out on my own. My coach isn&rsquo;t going to hold on to those things. I&rsquo;ve chosen a sport that really amplifies it&rdquo;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a very fine line,&rdquo; she continues, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to dumb myself down or make myself ugly just in case you find me sexually attractive&mdash;you have to own that and you have to be responsible. But don&rsquo;t cross my boundaries. If you want to admire me, that&rsquo;s fine as well, but first and foremost I&rsquo;m an athlete and I want to be respected for that. Honestly, if there was a whole heap of other girls at the gym, I might find that threatening. There was a girl that came once and she had a bit of a sulk about the weight we were working with and I blanked her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She finally, in the interview, shows the aggression that is so evident in the movie trailer: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put me in your &lsquo;please help me circle.&rsquo; I worked hard for this. I&rsquo;m going to lift this weight and I can do it. I had to spar her, I sparred hard, and she never came back.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When Bianca sits back a little, pausing, Jemma adds that they have been trying to explore the ideas of aggression and the labels imposed by society.</p>

<p>Bianca leans back in and says, &ldquo;The debate is so interesting, anyway: to be feminine, and through Islam on top of that, where feminine is such an external experience, it&rsquo;s understood to be external. Femininity is something very personalised and it&rsquo;s centered in the private sphere and celebrated amongst women.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She continues thoughtfully: &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m living in a Western country. I never really felt like I needed to wear a short skirt. I felt like I went the other way, I felt like one of the boys, so I got the label &lsquo;tomboy&rsquo; which I find so derogative. I hate the word. I box in a skirt just because, because girls will try to show that they&rsquo;re just as good as the guys and wear the same thing as the guys, but that&rsquo;s why I wear a skirt, it looks good on me and is different.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Fight or flight</strong></p>

<p>There is no question that Bianca is a bundle of contradictions: articulate, aggressive, spiritual, sexual. Yet this is perhaps the most intriguing part of her: the constant, ongoing negotiation of her identities. While other women attempt to straddle precariously, Bianca is defiantly who she is with very few apologies.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I moved out when I was 21,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;I was ostracised, I was on my own, travelled on my own, lived on my own, got myself through university. That was hard. I was young and I really had no one else. I had no family at all, so whilst I can sit here and say, very confidently, yes, this is who I am and say that this has been a hard road.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When I ask her who she is, she replies, &ldquo;The fighter narrative. Fight or flight. I fought back for myself, for what I wanted to do, for the person I want to become. I could quite easily still be living at my mom&rsquo;s house, gotten married, become the person she wanted me to be, put on a headscarf and been done with it. I didn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As we begin wrapping up our conversation because Bianca must prepare for a flight, I am particularly interested in her feeling that she negates some of her femininity and sometimes, in her own words, uses it to &ldquo;manipulate men.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel like I can get it over any guy, it&rsquo;s really interesting because I express it when we have these big kickboxing events,&rdquo; she says, smiling again with an ever-present charm. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s when I get the chance to dress up, that&rsquo;s really when I can cement my femininity, the juxtaposition of who I am. I love the shock element and I find people treating me totally different. I&rsquo;m the sexy girl, I like playing that role.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know that deep down,&rdquo; she says, pausing ruefully, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m still a woman. I feel like I have these sides of me where I do want to care for people and treat them kindly. With men, in particular, I feel like I need to conquer them. That might have something to do with it. Maybe it&rsquo;s my daddy issues, I probably do have daddy issues.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She chuckles again, grinning at Jemma and myself: &ldquo;At least I&rsquo;m self-aware! I&rsquo;m lucky I&rsquo;ve had that self-reflective part of me for a very long time. I&rsquo;ve been analytical in writing diaries and I&rsquo;ve always had someone to confide in. Being open and adaptable to change, I feel like I&rsquo;m open to what life presents.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Even first thing in the morning, this woman&rsquo;s charisma is evident. Jemma, the producer, has been a quiet presence throughout the interview, but it is Bianca who has taken center stage without much effort.</p>

<p><strong>&quot;You are worthy&quot;</strong></p>

<p>As Bianca gets up with a cheery wave to begin preparing for her flight, I ask Jemma why she chose Bianca as a documentary subject.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I want to give a different angle,&rdquo; Jemma responds, &ldquo;from what is out there on Australian TV and cinemas, something that is a little-left field, and I guess connect it with that sort of people about following a dream. The plotline for Bianca is to be a world champion - to be the best at something, everyone has that dream in some form or another, in whatever career or vocation that&rsquo;s in, but it&rsquo;s too easy for us to lose that. It&rsquo;s easy to doubt and fear and to give in to those things.&rdquo;</p>

<p>We say goodbye and end the call, but in the silence afterwards, it is Bianca&rsquo;s final thoughts on what to say to other young Muslim girls that resonate with me.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My message is that throughout your journey, which you need to define yourself, there will be moments of anxiety, fear and doubt, and all of those things are okay and they&rsquo;re a part of the journey,&rdquo; she says.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really important in withstanding those emotions that you cultivate self-belief and that way that you can do that is just by working really hard, looking at yourself in the mirror now and then, revisiting your own eyes, and looking deep into those eyes and telling yourself you are worthy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Photo Credit: Lollapalooza Films</p>

<p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/asia_pacific/muslim-woman-fights-like-man-34953/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a>&nbsp;has been originally published in Fair Observer.</p>


Australian amateur boxer Bianca ?Bam Bam? Elmir talks about her journey of life

Bianca “Bam Bam” Elmir is dressed in a sky blue shirt, squished on a Skype screen on an early morning in Melbourne. Although she is half a world away, her energy is evident even through a screen. Next to her is Jemma van Loenen, the producer of Bam Bam, the documentary. We establish her history immediately: “I come from a Lebanese background, my grandparents migrated in the ‘50s to Australia. I was raised in Canberra, where I’m based, by a single parent, my mom, who divorced my dad when I was very young. I was 2.” Shifting slightly, she adds, “I met my dad at 27 properly; we’ve had a very loose relationship since then. My mom, on the other hand, has raised me on her own.” It is not the first time in our conversation that I am surprised by Bianca’s candor. She is direct, open, occasionally pushing back her curly hair and shifting as she speaks. The Australian boxer is evident even when she is seated not just in her body, but in the way she moves occasionally, unable to sit totally still. Spiritual moments in the ring The tagline to Bam Bam the movie is “Boxer. Woman. Muslim.” I ask Bianca about the Muslim part, first, curious as to how she defines herself in this regard. “My mother, she didn’t really have a strong connection to the faith growing up … she didn’t wear the scarf and she didn’t pray,” Bianca replies. “She’s becoming more devoted as she’s grown older. At 13 or 14, my attachment to Islam was the strongest in my life. It cemented my identity.” She pauses and then continues: “Since then, I’ve changed, and the religion has changed with me. I still consider myself a strong believer. I feel like my faith is at the center of who I am and everything I do. Boxing, for me, is something very close to my heart because it’s raw.” Bianca’s unexpected shift toward discussing boxing in the midst of discussing Islam throws me slightly, but she finishes her thought with an eloquence that I’m beginning to see is an indisputable part of her. “It’s very close to my emotions: being a fighter and sticking up for what you believe in and believing in yourself and have the most acute focus and focus to detail. I feel like my faith enhances those elements in me. Islam is about sticking up for what you believe in and fighting for a cause and believing so deeply in something and committing to it. I think [boxing] runs parallel to that. It’s a very spiritual moment in the ring.” When she says this, I immediately think of the traditions of Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing. In a traditional Thai fight, a number of ceremonial rituals, including the Wai Khru Ram Muay dance and the wearing of mongkol (or mongkon) headdress, form an enormously important part of every fight. Bianca, who has a background in mixed martial arts, confirms my thought when she continues: “When I come in and out of the ring—we get these traditions from the Thais, the blessings coming in and out—I thank God. I don’t necessarily thank the spirits, but I thank God, always, for my opportunity in the ring, whether it’s training or fighting. In the moments of despair when I’m at my wit’s end and I’ve got someone trying to take my head off in front of me, I have a second of self-doubt and that’s when I turn and restate to myself that myself that I believe in God and myself and this opportunity and this moment.” “My religion gives me a lot of inspiration,” she finishes, simply. I wonder if Bianca’s experience of religion is reflective of a very private negotiation of her Muslim identity, without the input of a larger Muslim community. “In a way, yes, I look at other young people … it’s a confusing time in that you’re trying to figure out your identity, how you fit into the particular community you’re a part of, and if you’re a part of a diaspora that doesn’t have a lot of momentum, you feel like you have to shout a bit louder. With the religion, I felt on the periphery—living in Canberra, it’s a very middle-class, white suburban city, I always felt a little bit on the outside—anyway, even though it’s a very inclusive space, I felt like I had to stand up from when I was very young.” The idea of growing up surrounded by a different, dominant narrative is so similar to my own childhood. I tell Bianca that I went through the same process of identity negotiation and she nods, continuing: “Having the religion as a label, being Muslim at the time, gave me comfort and gave me that pathway, especially being quite a young person, I was searching for that. Kind of similar to you, I didn’t need to shout as loud about needing to verify who I was. I was more comfortable having nuances about being a girl, a Muslim, someone from an ethnic background.” She pauses, laughing: “So, having all those different narratives, I’m still nostalgic about those days because things were so clear and I was confident about how things were right or wrong. Understanding what is evil and what is not evil. I feel like I’ve got a more progressive understanding of the religion, now. Community work, care for the people around me, care for the people that were ill—[Islam] instilled that in me and I still hold on to that, treat people with respect, if someone is poor, look after them. You have to help people in need. Those are the things that have stuck with me.” Identity and femininity When she pauses, she and Jemma both look at me expectantly and I sheepishly admit that, from the trailers for Bam Bam, Bianca comes off as far more aggressive and defiant than she does in person, where she is immensely articulate and thoughtful. Bianca laughs: “I feel like I’ve become quite masculine. My particular gym is only boys, so I’ve had to take on a persona which is a little, you know, thick-skinned. Can take anything, can take all kinds of comments, can take any guy they put in front of me, so I think I’ve developed that quite well over time, out of survival. My coach has a lot of confidence in me but then will also put me in front of anything.” She shifts a little, still grinning: “I think at times, ‘I’m getting my head pummeled in and I don’t know what’s going on.’ Through self-preservation, I’ve had to take on this persona of toughness and true grit, bite down on my mouth guard and get through everything.” Jemma, looking a little startled, adds: “That’s interesting, I didn’t realise that was coming across. I wanted to create some kind of in that, there’s a goal she’s trying to achieve and there have been obstacles to overcome, like the ban … but also to balance that with what gets Bianca through.” She adds: “I did have a little snippet that I wanted to put in there, there’s a snippet of you rubbing your face and you say you like having your face patted, to balance this full-on an aggressive thing where people are punching you in the face. You have that need to be nurtured.” Bianca smiles playfully and says, to me this time, “I just want to be hugged.” “Being in a highly sexualised environment,” she continues, pausing briefly to become more serious again, “I don’t want to come across as too cute and too much of a princess. Maybe I’ve gone too far the other way. I’ve found at times I need to re-center and ground myself; I find myself losing a bit of my identity and femininity, which I really embrace and love about myself. The paradox is really difficult.” Many female fighters and athletes, including Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey, contend that being “feminine” and an “athlete” are not mutually exclusive. While Bianca seems to agree with this, she also contends that the traits of aggression and dominance visible in boxing are male traits that she must take on in order to survive. In a way, she must “fight like a man” while still finding ways to express her femininity. “Feminine, to me, is maybe having a more nurturing, a more humble side, a caring side. Feminine is being more considerate—I see it as all of those things. I don’t express those things in the ring; otherwise, I’d get my head punched in. So then I express my femininity through dancing—I’m always dancing around in the gym. It’s quite sexualised dancing, sometimes, but it’s the one space I know no one can take from me, where I can be chill and be a girl, I can feel my body and I can dance.” She pauses and looks at Jemma, thinking, and Jemma adds: “It hasn’t necessarily come through yet in the trailers, but it’s definitely something we’ve talked about and we’re interested in.” “It’s almost like this alter ego has become me,” Bianca says, smiling again. “I’ve got this persona and I’m so mindful. I don’t even let men go through that. It’s fascinating looking at the person I was a few years ago to what I am now. I would walk into an office as a political advisor with beautiful skirts and high heels and jewellery and I was the face of the office.” I can’t help but think that Bianca’s blunt admission that yes, she does have to take on what she defines as masculine characteristics is almost more honest than most negotiations about gender. “All those things are amplified in the sporting world. I have to hold my own, and if I’m emotionally fragile or I’ve had a bad day and I want to cry, yell or scream, I have to hold out on my own. My coach isn’t going to hold on to those things. I’ve chosen a sport that really amplifies it”. “It’s a very fine line,” she continues, “I’m not going to dumb myself down or make myself ugly just in case you find me sexually attractive—you have to own that and you have to be responsible. But don’t cross my boundaries. If you want to admire me, that’s fine as well, but first and foremost I’m an athlete and I want to be respected for that. Honestly, if there was a whole heap of other girls at the gym, I might find that threatening. There was a girl that came once and she had a bit of a sulk about the weight we were working with and I blanked her.” She finally, in the interview, shows the aggression that is so evident in the movie trailer: “Don’t put me in your ‘please help me circle.’ I worked hard for this. I’m going to lift this weight and I can do it. I had to spar her, I sparred hard, and she never came back.” When Bianca sits back a little, pausing, Jemma adds that they have been trying to explore the ideas of aggression and the labels imposed by society. Bianca leans back in and says, “The debate is so interesting, anyway: to be feminine, and through Islam on top of that, where feminine is such an external experience, it’s understood to be external. Femininity is something very personalised and it’s centered in the private sphere and celebrated amongst women.” She continues thoughtfully: “But I’m living in a Western country. I never really felt like I needed to wear a short skirt. I felt like I went the other way, I felt like one of the boys, so I got the label ‘tomboy’ which I find so derogative. I hate the word. I box in a skirt just because, because girls will try to show that they’re just as good as the guys and wear the same thing as the guys, but that’s why I wear a skirt, it looks good on me and is different.” Fight or flight There is no question that Bianca is a bundle of contradictions: articulate, aggressive, spiritual, sexual. Yet this is perhaps the most intriguing part of her: the constant, ongoing negotiation of her identities. While other women attempt to straddle precariously, Bianca is defiantly who she is with very few apologies. “I moved out when I was 21,” she explains. “I was ostracised, I was on my own, travelled on my own, lived on my own, got myself through university. That was hard. I was young and I really had no one else. I had no family at all, so whilst I can sit here and say, very confidently, yes, this is who I am and say that this has been a hard road.” When I ask her who she is, she replies, “The fighter narrative. Fight or flight. I fought back for myself, for what I wanted to do, for the person I want to become. I could quite easily still be living at my mom’s house, gotten married, become the person she wanted me to be, put on a headscarf and been done with it. I didn’t.” As we begin wrapping up our conversation because Bianca must prepare for a flight, I am particularly interested in her feeling that she negates some of her femininity and sometimes, in her own words, uses it to “manipulate men.” “I feel like I can get it over any guy, it’s really interesting because I express it when we have these big kickboxing events,” she says, smiling again with an ever-present charm. “It’s when I get the chance to dress up, that’s really when I can cement my femininity, the juxtaposition of who I am. I love the shock element and I find people treating me totally different. I’m the sexy girl, I like playing that role.” “I know that deep down,” she says, pausing ruefully, “I’m still a woman. I feel like I have these sides of me where I do want to care for people and treat them kindly. With men, in particular, I feel like I need to conquer them. That might have something to do with it. Maybe it’s my daddy issues, I probably do have daddy issues.” She chuckles again, grinning at Jemma and myself: “At least I’m self-aware! I’m lucky I’ve had that self-reflective part of me for a very long time. I’ve been analytical in writing diaries and I’ve always had someone to confide in. Being open and adaptable to change, I feel like I’m open to what life presents.” Even first thing in the morning, this woman’s charisma is evident. Jemma, the producer, has been a quiet presence throughout the interview, but it is Bianca who has taken center stage without much effort. "You are worthy" As Bianca gets up with a cheery wave to begin preparing for her flight, I ask Jemma why she chose Bianca as a documentary subject. “I want to give a different angle,” Jemma responds, “from what is out there on Australian TV and cinemas, something that is a little-left field, and I guess connect it with that sort of people about following a dream. The plotline for Bianca is to be a world champion - to be the best at something, everyone has that dream in some form or another, in whatever career or vocation that’s in, but it’s too easy for us to lose that. It’s easy to doubt and fear and to give in to those things.” We say goodbye and end the call, but in the silence afterwards, it is Bianca’s final thoughts on what to say to other young Muslim girls that resonate with me. “My message is that throughout your journey, which you need to define yourself, there will be moments of anxiety, fear and doubt, and all of those things are okay and they’re a part of the journey,” she says. “It’s really important in withstanding those emotions that you cultivate self-belief and that way that you can do that is just by working really hard, looking at yourself in the mirror now and then, revisiting your own eyes, and looking deep into those eyes and telling yourself you are worthy.” Photo Credit: Lollapalooza Films This article has been originally published in Fair Observer.

The Muslim woman who fights like a man

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